Actuating mechanism for key-operated machines.



No. 638,591. Patented Dec. 5, I899; D. MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed Kay 4, 1899.) (No Model.) l 6 Sheets-Shae! l.

WITNESSES: l

N0. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. u. MURRAY. AGTUATING MECHANISM FORKEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed May 4, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Sheets$heet 2.

WITNESSES J? 7 VENTO W 49 Ww No. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. D.MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed Kay 4, 1899.) (No Model.) I6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

A TTOH m: NORRIS mm co], womm No. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. D.MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MAGI'IINES.

(Application filed Kay 4, 1899.) (No Model.) I6 Sheets-8heet 4.

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No. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

D. MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(AP 1i t 111 d M8. 4, 1899) (No M i.) p mm a y is Sheets-Sheet 5.

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No. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. D. MURRAY. ACTUATING MECHANISM FORKEY OPERATED MACHlNES.

(Application filed May 4, 1899.) (N0 Model.) l6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

1% ms mews co. PHOYGJJY WITNESSES Patented Dec. 5, I899.

u. MURRAY. ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed m 4, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Sheats-Sheet 7.

WITNESSES ma NORRIS PETERS cm, mowu'rnov, WASHINGTON, n. c

No. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. D. MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANESM FOB KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed m 4, 1899.)

I6 SheeisSheet 8.

(No Model.)

v A 0 m .5 E. .,w/// W N0. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. D. MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed May 4, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Sheets$heet 9.

INVENTOH ATTO WITNESSES N0. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5

D. MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed may 4, 1899.)

I6 Sheets$heet l0.

INVE/VT f? (No Model.)

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Patented Dec. 5, I899.

l6 Sheets8heet ll.

D. MURRAY.

A licafiim filed May 4, 1899.)

., M o n 11 ay FpQKZ? B OURKE N VE N 70 @mmii N0. 638,59l. Patented Dec.5, I899. D. MURRAY.

AGTUATING HECHAMSM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed M511 4. 1899.) (No Model.) I6 Sheets-Sheet l2.

/N VENTOH g WITNESSES ATT N0. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. D. MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

No. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899. D. MURRAY.

AGTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed May 4, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 SheetsSheet l4.

WITNESSES A 77'0RNE Y S.

No. 638,59l. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

D. MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed. m 4, 1899.) (No Modal.) l6 Shaetr-Sheat |5.

INVENTO ATTO Fig-(i9 WITNESSES No. 939,591) Patented Dec. 5, I899. u.MURRAY.

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

(Application filed May 4, 1899.) (No Model.) l6 Sheets-Sheet l6.

W/TNESSES uv VENTOI? m: nowms Pawns co. moramnm wAsmNnmm n, r.

lJNiTE STATES Trice.

PATENT DONALD MURRAY, OF SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,591, dated December5, 1899.

Application filed May 4, 1899. Serial No. 715,521. (No model.)

To a, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DONALD MURRAY, of Sydney, New South Wales, haveinvented a new and Improved Aotuating Mechanism for Key-OperatedMachines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to improvements in actuating mechanism forkeyboard-operated machines of the class used for the disseminationofintelligence, einbracinglinotype, typesettingmachines, type-writingmachines, and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device foroperating such machines automaticallyand in such a manner thataccuratework is produced without danger of derangement of the organism of suchmachines, at the sametime leaving such machines at all times incondition for being operated by hand in the way now generally practiced.

A further object of the invention is to furnish syndicates, pressassociations,news agencies, and other centers of intelligence withsimple means for convenient, quick, and immediate distribution to theircustomers and subscribers, so as to enable the latter to expeditiouslyand automatically convert, by the use of the type-machine, theintelligence received into type matter for printing serial stories,special artic1es,and telegraphic,cable, or other news without theassistance of any skilled labor whatever.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations ofthe same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out inthe claims.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure 1 is an end elevation of adevice embodying my invention and shownin connection with a type-writing machine to be actuated by theimprovement. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a topplan of the same with the type-writing machine removed. Fig. 4 is asectional plan view of the same on the line at 4 in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is asectional front elevation of the same on the line 5 5 in Fig. 1. Fig. 6is a transverse section of the same on the line 6 6 in Fig. 5. Fig; 7 isa cross-section of the improvement as applied to a type-writing machine,the section being taken on the line 7 7 in Fig.2 and showing a strikingdevice employed as just beginning to operate. Fig. 8 is a similarsection showing the striker as operated. Fig. 9 shows a method ofattaching the invention to a linotype-machine. Fig. 10 is an enlargedsectional front elevation of a portion of the device to clearlyillustrate the reciprocating carriage and the tape-feeding mechanismemployed. Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the same on the line 11 11in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a like section of the same on the line 12 12inFig. 10. Fig. 13 is a similar section of the same on the line 13 13 inFig. 10. Fig. 14 is a like section of the same on the line 14 14 in Fig.10. Fig. 15 is a sectional plan view of part of the tape-feedingmechanism in posi tion, the section being on the line 15 15 in Fig. 10.Fig. 16 is a similar view,but showing the parts in another position.Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view of certain cams employed. Fig. 18 is asectional front elevation showing the carriage and the feeding andcontrolling devices in one position. Fig. 19 is a similar view of thesame, but showing the parts in another position. Fig. 20 shows a form ofcontrolling-tape employed. Fig. 21 is an enlarged sectional plan view onthe line 21 21 in Fig. 10 of the tape-feed, the carriage, and combs innormal position. Fig. 22 is a similar view of the same, but showing theparts in an actuating position. Fig. 23 shows a modified form of tape orweb that may be employed under certain conditions. Fig. 23 shows a tablewith the groups of elements representing the letters of the alphabet,punctuation-signs, and special keys used for forming the message on thetape or Web. Fig. 24 is a sectionalfront elevation of a modified form ofthe mechanism adapted to be controlled by the tape shown in Fig. 23.Fig. 25 is a top View thereof with parts in section. Fig. 26 is a sideview of the comb for the capital-key. Fig. 27 is a side view of one ofthe regular combs. Figs. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and are plan viewsof the combs in various positions relatively to the tape, the latterbeing in section. Fig. 36 is a partial section and partial elevation ofa tension device employed. Fig. 37 is an elevation of the same at rightangles to Fig. 36. Fig. 38 is a section on theline 38 38 in Fig. 36.Fig. 39 shows a modification in which certain parts are operated bypneumatic means. Fig. 40 is a section showing a valve for governing thepneumatic device, the said valve being in its closing position. Fig. 41is a similar section, but showing the valve in position to permit theactuating of a type-writer or similar key; and Fig. 42 is a transversesection of a modified form of the improvement, showing an electromagnetarranged for operating certain parts.

Various attempts have heretofore been made to directly actuate theoperating mechanism of type-machines of the class described by the useof a continuously-traveling tape or web having perforations representingthe message or reading matter to be converted into type matter, the tapebeing for this purpose provided With perforations representing groups ofsingle elements, of which each group represents a letter or character ofthe message. Now type-machines of this class are in themselves formed ofa very complex mechanism, and in order to automatically and directlyactuate this mechanism by the continuously-moving tape or web containingthe elements of the message to be translated into type matter requiredthe addition of such complex mechanism that the attempts heretofore madeencountered almost insurmountable practical difficulties, andconsequently reliable mechanism for accurate work could not be produced.In order to overcome these difficulties, I do not disturb the mechanismof the type-machine in question, but translate the elements on the tapeinto corresponding mechanical contrivances forming part of my machine,and each such mechanical contrivanoe in turn actuates a correspondingmechanical contrivauce of the type-machine to produce accurate work.

In my machine the mechanical contrivance referred to may be in the formof levers 55, and I prefer hereinafter to call such contrivances unitaryparts, as each part represents a letter, numeral, punctuation-sign,logotype, or other unitary character or sign in contradistiuction to theindividual elements on the tape and of which elements it requires anumber grouped together in a peculiar manner (see Fig. 23) to indicateor represent a letter, numeral, punctuation-sign, &c., of the message.For great accuracy in the result it is essential that the tape or web isnot fed continuously, but intermittently, and is not used direct on thetype-machine, but is employed to intermittently actuate the separatemachine, which in turn by the unitary parts actuates the type-machinewithout interfering with the keyboard of such machine, so that thiskeyboard can be worked by hand Whenever desired.

The improved machine is mounted on a suitable base A, carrying standards2 for supporting a table or bed-plate 1, on which are mounted to slidelongitudinally assembling members, preferably in the form of combs 4S,five in number, and controlled by a web or tape 13, fed intermittentlyby a feed mechanism B, located on a reciprocating carriage 9 for movingthe tape to and from the combs 48 and actuating the same according tothe message on the tape, as hereinafter more fully described, said combscontrolling the unitary parts 55, which in turn are connected with thecorresponding parts of a type-setting, linotype, or other machine. Asshown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, my improvement is applied to a type-writingmachine 0, set on a skeleton frame E, supported on posts D, carried bythe base A.

The message on the tape is formed by groups of elements, of which eachgroup represents a letter, numeral, punctuation-mark, or othercharacter, sign-space, 850., (see Fig. 232) so that when a group ofelements assembles the corresponding combs the corresponding unitarypart has actuated such part repsenting the group of elements on the tapeactive at the time. The groups of elements are preferably arranged asshown in said Fig. 23, which illustrates the entire alphabet, somepunctuation-signs, a group of elements for a space-key, a capital-key,one for a figure or numeral key, and one for a release-key. Each groupof elements, as shown, contains five elements represented either byapertures or dashes or a combination of both. By having the elements ineach group of a like number each letter or character or sign occupiesthe same space on the tape or web, and the intermittent feed given tothe web or tape by the feed mechanism B corresponds to the length of thespace occupied by a single group, so that the combs corresponding to thegroup active at the time are actuated for actuating the correspondingunitary part 55. Owing to the uniformity of the feed of the tape and theequal spaces occupied by the group of elements it is possible for thegroups of elements to be placed one alongside the other withoutintervening spaces and without the slightest danger of actuating wrongcombs.

The combs 48 are provided at the ends adjacent to the carriage 9 withpins or fingers 51, adapted to be engaged by a group of elementaryapertures and dashes on the tape as the latter is moved bodily with thecarriage to the right. hen this takes place, the combs, with pinsregistering with apertures or perforations, are engaged by the latterand remain dormant, while the pins in register with the dashes areengaged by the solid parts of the tape and are shifted by the latter tothe right to assemble such combs and bring their slots in register witheach other for the corresponding unitary part 55 to drop in suchregistering slots. Thus, for instance, when the group of elementsrepresenting the letter e (see Fig. 23) and consisting of an apertureand four succeeding dashes engages the combs 48 four of the combs areshifted and only one comb remains dormant as its pin or finger 51 passesthrough the solitary aperture in said group, while the four other combsare engaged by the solid portions of the web at the dashes following theaperture. In practiceit is not necessary to show the dashes on the tape,and they may be omitted.

On the bed-plate 1 is a slideway 3, and from the said bed-plate dependhangers 4, in which is journaled a shaft 5, which may be rotated by anysuitable means. I have here shown it as provided with a pinion 6 forengaging with a driving-gear 7, which is provided with a crank, so thatit may be operated manually; but said shaft 5 may be driven from othersuitable machinery by gearing or belt-andpulley connections. Extendedfrom one end of the bed plate 1 is a guideway 8 for the reciprocatingcarriage 9 to slide on, said guideway consisting of plates secured tobrackets 10, projected from the bed-plate 1. The inner edges of thesebed-plates engage in grooves on each side of the carriage, so that whilethe carriage may reciprocate back and forth it is restrained from anyother movement.

Mounted on the carriage 9 are perforated plates 11 and 12, between whichthe web or tape 13 is designed to pass, the perforations in the plates11 and 12 being designed to act as guides for the passage through thetapeperforations of the fingers 51, extending from the controlling-combs48, as previously mentioned. The plate 12 also acts as a support for thetape, while its solid portions, represented by dashes, are thrustagainst the corresponding fingers 51 of the said combs 48.

On the ends of the plates 12 are verticallydisposed rollers 14 and 15,and rearward of said plate 12 are guide-rollers 16 and 17. (See Figs.10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, and 22.) These guide-rollers 16 and 17 aremounted, respectively, in brackets 18 and 19, held on a bar 20, adaptedfor adjustment transversely of the carriage, and for this purpose Iemploy set-screws 21 and 22, engaging tapped apertures formed in arms 2324, extending from said bar 20, and the inner ends of these setscrews(see Fig. 12) impinge against the sides of the carriage. Obviously bymanipulating these screws the rollers 1617, and therefore the tape, maybe adjusted. The object of providing for this adjustment of tlieguide-rollers 16 17 transversely of the carriage is to permit of minuteadjustment of the tape or web, and which adjustment may be necessary tocause the elementary perforations to properly aline with the fingers ofthe combs 48; but this adjustment once made rarely or never needschanging. Aspring-guide 12 is held on the carriage, straddles the plate11, and serves to hold the tape or web against the face of the plate toprevent accidental shifting of the tapeduring the time the tape isactive for shifting the combs.

Adjacent to the roller 16 and mounted on the sliding bar 20 is a curvedshield-plate 25, (see Figs. 21 and 22,) designed to prevent buckling ofthe web or tape as it passes along under the influence of the feedingmechanism. In other words, while the tape or Web is being fed by thefeeder or star-wheel 26 it will strike against the concave side of theshield-plate 25 and will be directed to a basket or other suitablereceptacle without danger of its folding or returning upon thestarwheel. This star-Wheel or feeder 26 has on its periphery a series ofpins 27, (see Figs. 10, 18, and 19,) adapted to engage in perforations28, formed in the tape 13, as shown in Fig. 20. The star-wheel 26 ismounted on a vertical shaft 29, adapted to rotate in the carriage 9, andon the lower end of said shaft 29 is a ratchet-wheel 30, designed to beengaged by a spring-pressed pawl 31, (see Figs. 15 and 16,) mounted onthe bracket 10. I

Reciprocating motion is imparted to the carriage 9 (see Figs. 5, 10, 18,and 19) by means of a cam-pulley 43, mounted on the drivingshaft 5, saidcam-pulley having a peripheral groove engaged bya roller 44, looselymounted on a stud 45, depending from said carriage. As the cam-pulley 43moves the carriage 9 toward the bed-plate of the machine theratchetwheel 30 will of course be disengaged from the pawl 31; but uponthe reverse movement of the carriage a tooth of the said ratchetwheelwill engage with said pawl 31, so that the star-wheel 26 will be rotateda sufficient distance to move the tape or web through one space. Thestar-wheel is held from backward rotation while the carriage is movingforward by means of a spring-pressed dog 46, mounted on the carriage andengaging with the ratchet-wheel. (See Figs. 15 and 16.) If it be desiredto rotate the star-wheel backward for any purpose the dog 46 may bedisengaged from the ratchet-wheel by pushing outward upon thefinger-piece 47, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 16.

The combs 48 are movable longitudinally on the slideway 3 and are heldseparately in a vertical position by means of pins 52, extended upwardfrom the bottom of the slideway 3 and between adjacent combs, as isplainly indicated in Figs. 5, 21, and 22. Some or all of the combs 48are shifted at a time to the right by the action of the tape movedbodily with the feed mechanism, and in order to insure a return movementof the combs to the left during part of the return stroke of thecarriage I provide the under side of each finger 51 with a lug 95,adapted to be engaged by a spring arm or finger 94, mounted on a blockadjustably secured to the carriage 9, so that when the latter is on thereturn or outward movement the arms or fingers 94 engage the lugs 95 ofthe previously-shifted combs to return the latter to their normalposition. (Shown in Figs. 10 and 21.)

The several combs 48 are provided in their top edges with slotsvariously placed, (see Fig. 27,) and the slots are designed to governthe unitary parts in the form of levers 55, mounted to swingindependently of each other IIO , tween the earns 62 and 63.

on a rod 53, secured in standards 54 on the bed-plate 1, said unitaryparts or levers 55 being mounted to swing in fixed guideways 55 torestrain the parts from sidewise motion. The number of unitary parts orlevers 55 will correspond to the number of unitary parts contained inthe machine to which my device is applied, and said unitary parts 55 aredesigned to have connection by means of cords or other devices with theseveral keys of such type-machine. The unitary parts or levers 55 extendtransversely of the combs 48 and are supported at their ends normallyabove the several combs by means of a supporting-bar 56, and they areheld yieldingly against said supporting-bar and are adapted to swingdownward at the proper time by means of springs 57, connected at one endto the levers 55 and at the other end to a crossbar 58, supported on athreaded standard 582 so that the tension of the springs 57 may beadjusted by nuts 58. (See Figs. 6, 7, and S.) The ends of thesupporting-bar 56 are movable in slots formed in standards 59, and saidbar is moved upward by means of posts 65, mounted on the outer ends oftwo levers 60, rocking on shafts 61, and said levers 66 are provided attheir inner ends with rollers 62, engaging with cams 63, attached to theshaft 5. (See Fig. 5.) As a means of adjusting the bar 56 vertically Iprovide step-bearings 64, adjustable through the levers 60, and thesebearings are preferably made in the form of serew-bolts, which in theirupper ends have depressions for receiving the lower pointed ends of theposts 65, depending from the bar 56.

Forward of the supporting-bar 56 and also forward of the unitary partsor levers 55 isa striking-bar 66, mounted on the upper ends of arms 67,projecting upward from a rockshaft 68. On the latter is arranged aninwardly-extending arm 69, carrying at its free end a roller 70,engaging the peripheral surface of a cam 71, mounted on the shaft 5 be-A spring 72, con nected at one end to the supporting-bar 56 and at theother end to the arm 69, serves two purposes-one to depress the bar 56and the other-to hold the roller 70 in contact with the cam 71.

Mounted to slide on each key-lever 55 is a tappet-rod 73, (see Figs. 7and 8,) movable through guideways 74 on the unitary part or lever 55,and the outer end of said tappet-rod extends normally forward of the endof the lever to which it is attached. A stop 75 on the inner end of thetappet rod engages against each. side of the lever 55, and said stopsnot only prevent the tappet-rods from rotating in their bearings, butalso by coming in contact with the inner bearing 74prevent thetappet-rods from moving too far in an outward direction. From the innerend of the tappet-rods 73 extend cords or other suitable connections 76around idler-pulleys 77, mounted on a rod supported in hangers 78, saidcords then extending around idlerpulleys 79, supported in hangers 80,and from these idler-pulleys 79 the cords extend to connect with thekeys of the type-machine to be operated. Provision is made for adjustingthe. length of the cords by turnbuckles or other well-known mechanicalmeans.

Alongside the combs 48 and similarly mounted are arranged a figure-comb49 and a capital-comb 50, having slots or notches in their top edges,but without fingers 51. (See Figs. 4, 5, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, and 30.)The figure-comb 49 and the capital-comb are adapted to be actuated bylevers S2 and 81, respectively, located at one side of the unitary partsor levers (see Fig. 4) and likewise fulcrumed on the rod 53. The lever81 (see Fig. 26) has a wedge-like cam 88 on one side to engage with theinclined surface 89, formed on the capital-comb 50, and a similar cam 90is formed on the lever 82 to engage with an inclined surface 91 on thefigure comb 49, so that when either of these levers swings downward thecorresponding comb will be moved into an operative position.

At the opposite side of the series of unitary parts or levers 55and'likewise fulcrumed on the rod 53 is arranged a release-lever 92,(see Figs. 4 and 26,) having cam-surfaces 93 adapted to engage with theinclined surfaces 93 on both the combs 49 and 50, so that when the lever92 swings downward it will return either or both of these combs to theirnormal position-that is, the lever 92 will be brought into operationwhen it is desired to change from capitals or figures back to lower caseat the time the corresponding group of elements (see Fig. 23) is activeon the tape and shifts the corresponding combs 48 to such position as toallow the lever 92 to swing downward the same as a unitary part or lever55. The three levers 81, 82, and 92 are supported at their free ends onthe supporting-bar 56 in a similar manner to the levers 55, and theyeach have spring connections with the bar 58, the three springssupplying the power to shift the combs 49 or' 50 in the mannerdescribed.

The tape 13 is fed from a roll supported in any suitable manner, andpreferably it will pass through a tension device (see Figs. 3, 4, 36,37, and "38) before it reaches the starwheel 26, so as to keep said webor tape under proper stress. The tension device is provided with aroller 32, supported on a stem 33, extending from a base 34, attached tothe main base A, and said roller 32 is prevented from revolving freelyon the stem 33 by a spring 35, which surrounds the stem and engages atone end with the roller 32 and at the other end with a sleeve 36,mounted loosely on the stem The tension of the spring 35 may be adjustedby means of clamping-jaws 37 and 38, which engage the periphery of thesleeve 36, and said jaws 37 38 are connected at one end'to the base 34,and at the opposite ends they are connected to each other byan

